"The album
finishes with a sixteen minute epic [sub-divided into eight sub sections]
and follows in the footsteps already laid down, but with enough variation
to keep the imagination going. To summarise, I found the album very enjoyable,
with fine musicianship from all and cohesively played together. The rhythm
section was excellent and Tomas Hurtig was a pleasure to listen to, forming
an excellent backbone for the strongly themic guitar and keyboard passages.
There were numerous time signature sections and the predominance of 7/8
did suggest a strong reference to earlier Genesis, although it should
be noted that the band never tried to emulate this. So if the band's previously
mentioned and the likes of IQ, Spock's Beard and Pallas feature in your
CD collection, then add Grand Stand's
Tricks of Time."
Conclusion: 8 out of 10. (DPRP RECOMMENDED) DPRP

"Tricks
of Time is an excellent album, in heavy rotation in my CD player.
Highly recommended."
Rating:9 out of 10 KeyboardsPROG4YOU

"I found on playing this album the first few times that they do
sound quite different on the songs, as if they haven't totally settled
on their own style but want to encompass everything that they like listening
to. Not a bad thing for a progband in many ways. The closing number
"Old man's tale", is the longest at sixteen minutes, and contains
both very delicate interludes and much powerful pieces with some great
guitar/keyboard interplay, as well as pieces that sound familiar but
yet are not (especially if you are a Genesis fan). An album that is
bound to find a lot of flavour among the progheads. "FEEDBACK

"A new recruit to the swedish assault on prog, Grand Stand offers
many of the same attractions as the invasion's vanguard: excellent musicianship,
dramatic songwriting and good sound."PROGRESSION

"A nice and mellow mix of 70's progressive rock in the vein of
Genesis and Camel with some influences of the neo-progressive movement.
The band has matured and everyone looking for melodic progressive rock
should check this one out"PROGRESSIVE NEWSLETTER

"Swedish
progressive rock has always been associated with the inevitable Flower
Kings, but Roine Stolt and his friends are warned: there is competition.
Grand Stand has just released their second CD 'Tricks of Time' and really,
it is a masterpiece. 'Jurassic Spark' is a perfect illustration of the
potential of this group: a beautiful guitar solo as intro, melodious guitar
sounds à la Steve Hackett, typical arrhythmic drums and solid bass
playing, nice synthesizer solos and the timbre of a progressive rock-singer.
This track has plenty of tempo variations and solos in a way Genesis would
and should have done it today.
'Waiting for water' is a typical symphonic track with guitar and keyboard
solos, you can call it the trade-mark of this group. This is by far the
most commercial track on the album with a catchy refrain. 'Empty barrels
rattle the most' alternates ambient psychedelic parts with some Celtic
or folky influences, but after a while it really explodes into aggressive
progressive rock. What a guitar player, truly one of the key factors on
this album. The last track contains everything you can expect from progressive
rock.
'Old Man's Tale' consists of 7 parts, moving the song in different directions
and styles: the music is dynamic, captivating and very professional. And
while Grand Stand can be referred to so many other good bands, they still
produces their own sound with a lot of growing potential.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR EVERY PROGGER! "PROG-NOSE

"The album
reflects many signs of recognition of the bands Grand Stand is influenced
by, such as Yes, Genesis, Flower Kings, Pink Floyd and Spock's Beard.
The fact that some of the members where involved in a Yes and Genesis
tribute concert and a Pink Floyd tribute CD ("Signs Of Life"
released in 2000) says enough. Energetic and melodic, vocal and instrumental,
one short and four 9 minutes + songs of the highest quality symphonic
rock is what this album offers. Especially the ballad "Waiting for
water" is a beauty."SYMFO CITY

"Grand Stand's
music is nothing short of grand. The musicianship on 'Tricks Of Time'
is great. It's refreshing to my ears to hear younger musicians that play
like seasoned pros. However, their musician-ship is only surpassed by
their compositions. Dynamic, and captivating, the tunes on this disc are
on a par with some of the most important prog acts today. One of the bands
strongest points is taking a theme and then twisting it around and moving
it in different directions. The tangents taken on some of the instrumental
breaks have a strong Genesis flavor, and are worthy of the comparison.
A must for fans of Genesis and The Flower Kings, and quality prog in general.
A 10 of 10!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"PROGRESSIVE LAND

"...especially
fans of Pendragon and IQ will like this a lot I think.
(Points:8.0 out of 10)"STRUTTER MAGAZINE

"Grand Stand
presents five new pieces that no symphonic rock lover should be without.
Tracks that stand out are "Waiting for water" with a strong
chorus and an overall Genesis feel & "Old mans tale" with
beautiful solos and a folk feel in the intro- and outro-parts. These guys
have a high musical ability and this CD is filled with listening enjoyment
and Grand Stand really pushes the boundaries of the Swedish progressive
music of today."
(Points: 4,5 out of 5)"ART-ROCK

"Yes that's
a nice album. This second opus from GRAND STAND is better than the first
one, so imagine! Their music moves in the same area as GENESIS, CAMEL
and will for sure attract fans of PENDRAGON and ARENA. That's exact, just
want to add that the music is not so far from the work of HACKETT, 1975
to 1980 probably as much as GENESIS' 70's works at time. Wow ! With lot
of emotions this is a must. And "Old Man's Tale", yes, because
this song will be a tale for a long time in the world of prog."PROGLANDS

"Four years
after their first release, Grand Stand from Sweden are back. The duet
have since become a quartet and that change is evident on the new album
"Tricks Of Time". These changes has taken the music of the group
to a higher level, with a melodic sense worthy of Genesis and Camel, and
a lyrical guitar which carries the listener towards remote horizons. Not
forgetting the keyboard work on the moog, that unquestionably will satisfy
most demanding listeners out there. Undoubtedly one of the best releases
to circumvent this spring!"COSMOS MUSIC

"Grand
Stand, an extremely melodic and talented progressive rock band from
Sweden, have scored big with their second CD release, titled Tricks of
Time. With a huge symphonic sound that relies on sweeping keyboard orchestrations
and emotional guitar leads, Grand Stand take their influences from such
legends as Genesis, Camel, Pendragon, and IQ, and toss in solid songwriting
skills, great musicianship, and strong vocals, to come up with a contemporary
classic. Fans of lush, 70's & 80's prog styles can do no wrong with
picking up this latest from Grand Stand. This will be a band to watch
for sure. Score: 9/10 "SEA OF TRANQUILITY